Erend stepped forward slowly. His massive Lightning Dragon form still crackling with his power. But this ti, he let the light dim.
There was no threat in his approach, only intention to know the answer. He wanted so real answers now and this wounded and half-mad god might be the only one who had them.
Even if Thar'Zul-Vekar's mind was fractured it was still ancient. They must be holding pieces of truths older than anything Erend or Eccar had ever touched.
Eccar moved beside him with silent and wary steps. He remained tense, his heavy claws digging slightly into the ground as he walked.
Not like Erend, Eccar kept his guard up. He could sense Erend lowering his defenses because he was lured by the promise of knowledge, but Eccar knew better. Soone had to be ready if things went wrong again.
"Yes," Erend said gently. "I'm not the Dragon you rember. I've said it once earlier but I'll say it again. I don't know what the Dragons did to you or your forest. I only want to understand it."
He spoke with care, not only in tone but in power. he was pulling his Magic inward so the god wouldn't feel pressured and agitated again.
The size difference was not that much. Thar'Zul-Vekar was only half as tall as Erend and Eccar in their current forms. Yet despite that their presence still carried the weight of a being who once commanded nature on this world. Their aura filled the crater.
The god's breathing quickened. Their lips moved as if sifting through old words.
"It was… a Fire Dragon," Thar'Zul-Vekar muttered. Their voice wavered. "He said… he would help protect the forest. Help fight back the ones who sought to burn it. But he… he betrayed …"
Their eyes widened. The mory surfaced like sothing long buried now clawing toward the light.
Then, it happened.
Magic surged from Thar'Zul-Vekar. But this ti it wasn't the chaotic storm of corrupted forest power. The dark tinge was gone. No black, rot, or decay.
The green that spilled from their body now shimred with a softness and brightness like the sheen of a newborn leaf catching the first morning sun.
Erend and Eccar both jumped back.
"I told you this was a bad idea!" Eccar snapped.
But Erend's eyes remained locked on the glowing god. "Wait… look at it. That's not the sa Magic like before."
Eccar hesitated. He looked again and saw it. The green energy wasn't wild. It pulsed gently as if part of a living rhythm now.
He felt as if it were the sa energy that made trees grow, rivers flow, and life breathe.
Still, it was hard for him to not see it as a threat.
Then ca the shocking scenes. The world around them start to changing.
It was like a veil being peeled away. The scorched earth beneath them dissolved into fertile soil. The once crimson and torn sky with black smoke cleared like fog burned away by light.
Brilliant green leaves stretched overhead. Massive trees that towering like titans rose around them. Flowers blood in the grass beneath their claws.
The ash was gone and the battlefield vanished.
In its place stood a thriving forest under a wide blue sky dotted with gentle clouds.
"What's happening now…?" Eccar said while spinning slowly to look around.
Erend didn't answer. He was already looking at Thar'Zul-Vekar again.
The god hadn't changed form. They still stood rigid on the ground among the massive trees that now matched their stature.
Their chest rose and fell with exhaustion. Their eyes wide and trembling as if they too didn't know whether this was real or just a forgotten dream co back.
Thar'Zul-Vekar slowly turned their head. Their eyes widening further as they looked at the towering trees and the soft grass beneath their claws.
They take a long breath. Then they smiled. It was an unexpected fleeting expression that shimred like sunlight through leaves. It was a smile of peace, pride and mory.
"See…" the god whispered, their voice warm now. "This is my forest. My world. This is beautiful, isn't it?"
Erend and Eccar exchanged a glance. The Earth Dragon gave a subtle nod and said, "You talk. I'll stay ready."
Erend gave a small nod in return and stepped forward once more.
"Yes," he said, his voice calm and steady. "This is beautiful."
Whether this was real or a mory or sothing between, Erend didn't know. But the god believed in it, maybe even needed it. So he didn't challenge the illusion.
For a few long seconds they stood in silence. Just watching and letting the green world speak.
Then, the quiet broke.
From high above, streaks of fla pierced the sky like falling stars. Fiery trails cut through the blue as if heaven itself were being set alight.
And then the impact happened. That thing landed nearby and shaking the earth. Smoke billowed outward curling into the trees.
Erend and Eccar both lowered their stance instinctively, wings rising slightly in alarm.
From within the smoke, a figure erged.
It was a Dragon that crowned in fire. His form similar to Erend but heavier and broader.
Horns curled from its shoulders and radiated heat. Then, in a sudden burst of light, the Dragon shifted.
Its body shrank and twisted then condensing into a humanoid figure standing among the ashes where it had landed.
A man now stood there. He was broad-shouldered and looks strong with long crimson hair flowing over thick pauldrons of dark red armor.
A beard frad his strong jaw and golden eyes glead beneath his brow. His presence pulsed with pride and confidence.
He looked up at Thar'Zul-Vekar and smiled.
"Ah… my old friend," he said with ease, like returning to a place once cherished. "Still watching over your trees, I see."
The god blinked, their trembling softening for a mont. Their lips moved slowly.
"…Maelric."
It was a na that rolled off their tongue like an old mory, bittersweet and worn by ti.
This man was called Maelric, the Fire Dragon in human form. The one who had co with promises and the one who had betrayed them.
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